I just put my five and three year old down, after reading (like we always do the night before birthdays) Dr. Seusss’s Birthday book, telling him about the night he was born and saying a prayer.  Tomorrow he will wake up a six year old.  A six year old who loves everybody, and makes my heart melt every day.  He is so kind hearted, always in tune to what’s going on or how someone else is feeling.  It  amazes me that at such a young age he has been able to really put himself in other peoples shoes.  I had been asking him every day since Christmas what he wanted for his birthday, and he would say “I’ll think about it” …  then a couple mornings ago he crawled in my bed and said “I know what I want!  You!”.  Anyway he still never told us anything, and let his brother open up half of his presents from his party.

Parenting is filled with challenges, and for me, caring for your first born is especially intense… I am constantly like – what am i doing?!  I have no idea what I’m doing.  Did I say that right?  Is he going to be okay? …  It’s filled with googling things you never thought you’d ever google, saying things you never thought you’d say (side note:  why do I call it the potty when I’m with my friends now!) , and doing things you never thought you’d do because it’s ultimately all about what’s best for them.  It’s saying no to things your former self would have said heck yes to.  I’ve written a bit about my identity being too tied to motherhood before, but I have to admit “mom” is my favorite name to be called.

Six years ago I was filled with hope… so ready to meet my baby boy.  And then (after a very rough labor) here he was… bright eyed and the cutest thing.  Six years later, I’m still filled with hope.  I see a boy who is developing character, integrity, and kindness every day, and I can’t wait to see how he will change the world with it.  Watching him learn to love like Jesus did … there’s really nothing that can beat it.

He says things like “don’t worry when I go to college, you can move right next door” … and “when I get married we will make tunnels under our house that lead to yours”.  People say don’t expect thanks from your kids, but this kid is always thanking us.  at the right times, and the unexpected times.

Happy birthday to my warm, sensitive, loving, smart, hilarious little boy!  I love watching you grow.